News from TRAC

Number of ICE Detainees Increases for First Time Since June

(18 Sep 2024) In data updated to early September 2024, the number of individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased slightly to 37,395 due largely to more arrests made by both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While ICE book-ins to detention facilities have been increasing through much of the fiscal year, the number of CBP book-ins increased for the first time since May, going from 15,625 book-ins in July to 16,508 in August. In total, there were 24,696 separate book-ins to detention in the month of August.

While the smartphone technology called SmartLink remains by far the most common monitoring tool utilized in the Enrollment in Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, it is beginning to have a noticeable decrease in usage. According to the most recent data release, ICE now uses SmartLink to monitor around 151,000 people, a number down from almost 178,000 reported by ICE in late September 2023.

ICE reports it is using GPS devices worn on the ankle or the wrist as substitutes. While ICE monitored 11,000 people using ankle or wrist-worn devices at this time last year, the most recent data update indicates that ICE has doubled the population monitored under wearable technologies, with more than 22,000 individuals now wearing either ankle or wrist-worn devices. GPS ankle monitors are 2.9 times more expensive than SmartLink to monitor one individual, while GPS wrist-worn devices are 4.7 times more expensive.

Some caution about these numbers, however, is warranted. ICE erroneously reported increased use of GPS ankle monitors in the past, only to admit that ankle monitor usage was in fact way down, not up.

Highlights from data updated in TRAC's Detention Quick Facts tool show that:

Immigration and Customs Enforcement held 37,395 in ICE detention according to data current as of September 8, 2024.
22,471 out of 37,395—or 60.1%—held in ICE detention have no criminal record, according to data current as of September 8, 2024. Many more have only minor offenses, including traffic violations.
ICE relied on detention facilities in Texas to house the most people during FY 2024, according to data current as of September 3, 2024.
ICE arrested 8,188 and CBP arrested 16,508 of the 24,696 people booked into detention by ICE during August 2024.
South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas held the largest number of ICE detainees so far in FY 2024, averaging 1,580 per day (as of September 2024).
ICE Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs are currently monitoring 176,886 families and single individuals, according to data current as of September 7, 2024.
Chicago's area office has the highest number in ICE's Alternatives to Detention (ATD) monitoring programs, according to data current as of September 7, 2024.

TRAC’s Immigration Quick Facts provides the latest data on immigrant detention, immigration court cases, and immigration prosecutions in federal court. Each page includes several key data points alongside a graphic or table, a short description for context, and a link to more data. Click here to see more about TRAC's entire suite of immigration tools..

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TRAC is a self-supporting, nonpartisan, and independent research organization specializing in data collection and analysis on federal enforcement, staffing, and spending. We produce multiple reports every month on critical issues, and we also provide comprehensive data analysis tools.

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